Supreme Court Gun Ruling and Proposed Bush Regulations Leave National Parks, Landmarks Unprotected

Loaded weapons at the Lincoln Memorial? Before we know it, it may be legal. The combination of the Supreme Court's D.C. handgun ban decision and the Bush administration's proposed new regulations for firearms in national parks could spell disaster.

The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) released a statement Monday, in which they cite the confusion caused by the recent ruling as yet another reason the proposed rules, which would allow visitors to carry loaded weapons in national parks, should not take effect.

PEER noted that many D.C. landmarks "such as the National Mall and even the White House" are under the jurisdiction of the National Parks Service. If D.C. does not pass new legislation to replace the law the Supreme Court struck down before the administration's new rules are implemented, those landmarks "may have no enforceable firearms restrictions," according to PEER. The statement continued:

"Why on earth would we put the security of our national icons and safety of park visitors at the mercy of an NRA-sponsored political mud wrestling match?" asked PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, noting that the National Rifle Association has served notice that it intends to initiate waves of litigation against state gun restrictions. "Until the legal dust clears, it makes no sense to throw out one single, clear, time-tested rule for fifty-one moving targets."

PEER previously filed public comments explaining the dangerous increase that could occur in poaching in national parks. They said the NRA wants increased hunting in the parks, and the administration failed to assess environmental concerns before granting the NRA its wish.

See our original story on this topic with comments from Executive Director Ruch.

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